Flag of Japan. Photo by Kulbir on Pexels.com
The number of home renovation scam cases in Japan reached 83 in 2025, the highest since records began in 2010, according to Japan National Police Agency data released Thursday.
Total reported losses exceeded 15 billion yen, marking a record for financial damage linked to such scams.
Police noted that 34 of the cases involved “tokuryu” groups, anonymous transient criminal networks often operating across multiple regions.
Home renovation scams typically involve criminals visiting houses and claiming that parts of the property, such as the roof or siding, are damaged and require urgent repairs.
Victims are then charged inflated fees for the work, which in many cases is unnecessary or never performed.
Investigations also revealed that some scammers intentionally damage areas of the home during inspections to justify additional repairs.
Other tactics include recommending upgrades or renovations under the pretense of improving energy efficiency, even when no such work is needed.
Authorities said elderly residents remain the primary targets of these fraud schemes, emphasizing the need for vigilance and verification before agreeing to home repair services.